Adjacent Words

Wing definitions

	Tweet

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

WING, n.
1. The limb of a fowl by which it flies. In a few species of fowls, the wings do not enable them to fly; as is the case with the dodo, ostrich, great auk, and penguin; but in the two former, the wings assist the fowls in running.
2. The limb of an insect by which it flies.
3. In botany, the side petal of a papilionaceous corol; also, an appendage of seeds, by means of which they are wafted in the air and scattered; also, any membranous or leafy dilatation of a footstalk, or of the angles of a stem, branch or flower stalk, or of a calyx.
4. Flight; passage by the wind; as, to be on the wind; to take wing.
5. Means of flying; acceleration. Fear adds wings to flight.
6. Motive or incitement of flight.
Then fiery expedition be my wing.
7. The flank or extreme body or part of an army.
8. Any side-piece.
9. In gardening, a side-shoot.
10. In architecture, a side-building, less than the main edifice.
11. In fortification, the longer sides of hornworks, crown-works, etc.
12. In a fleet, the ships on the extremities, when ranged in a line, or when forming the two sides of a triangle.
13. In a ship, the wings are those parts of the hold and orlop deck, which are nearest the sides.
14. In Scripture, protection; generally in the plural. Psalms 63. Exodus 19.
On the wings of the wind, with the utmost velocity. Psalms 18.
WING, v.t.
1. To furnish with wings; to enable to fly or to move with celerity.
Who heaves old ocean, and who wings the storms.
2. To supply with side bodies; as on either side well winged.
3. To transport by flight.
I, an old turtle, will wing me to some witherd bough.
Edge the keen sword, and wing th unerring ball.
To wing a flight, to exert the power of flying.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a movable organ for flying (one of a pair)
2: one of the horizontal airfoils on either side of the fuselage of an airplane
3: a stage area out of sight of the audience [syn: wing, offstage, backstage]
4: a unit of military aircraft
5: the side of military or naval formation; "they attacked the enemy's right flank" [syn: flank, wing]
6: a hockey player stationed in a forward position on either side
7: (in flight formation) a position to the side and just to the rear of another aircraft
8: a group within a political party or legislature or other organization that holds distinct views or has a particular function; "they are the progressive wing of the Republican Party"
9: the wing of a fowl; "he preferred the drumsticks to the wings"
10: a barrier that surrounds the wheels of a vehicle to block splashing water or mud; "in Britain they call a fender a wing" [syn: fender, wing]
11: an addition that extends a main building [syn: annex, annexe, extension, wing] v
1: travel through the air; be airborne; "Man cannot fly" [syn: fly, wing]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Usage: often attributive Etymology: Middle English winge, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Danish & Swedish vinge wing; akin to Sanskrit v?ti it blows — more at wind Date: 13th century 1. a. one of the movable feathered or membranous paired appendages by means of which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly; also such an appendage even though rudimentary if possessed by an animal belonging to a group characterized by the power of flight b. any of various anatomical structures (as of a flying fish or flying lemur) providing means of limited flight 2. an appendage or part resembling a wing in appearance, position, or function: as a. a device worn under the arms to aid a person in swimming or staying afloat b. ala c. a turned-back or extended edge on an article of clothing d. a sidepiece at the top of an armchair e. (1) a foliaceous, membranous, or woody expansion of a plant especially along a stem or on a samara or capsule (2) either of the two lateral petals of a papilionaceous flower f. a vane of a windmill or arrow g. sail h. an airfoil that develops a major part of the lift which supports a heavier-than-air aircraft i. chiefly British fender d 3. a means of flight or rapid progress 4. the act or manner of flying ; flight <take wing> 5. a side or outlying region or district 6. a part or feature of a building usually projecting from and subordinate to the main or central part <the servants' wing> 7. a. one of the pieces of scenery at the side of a stage b. plural the area at the side of the stage out of sight 8. a. a left or right section of an army or fleet ; flank b. one of the offensive positions or players on either side of a center position in certain team sports; also flanker 9. a. either of two opposing groups within an organization or society ; faction b. a section of an organized body (as a legislative chamber) representing a group or faction holding distinct opinions or policies — compare left wing, right wing 10. a. a unit of the United States Air Force higher than a group and lower than a division b. two or more squadrons of naval airplanes 11. a dance step marked by a quick outward and inward rolling glide of one foot 12. plural insignia consisting of an outspread pair of stylized bird's wings which are awarded on completion of prescribed training to a qualified pilot, aircrew member, or military balloon pilot • wingy adjective II. verb Date: 1591 transitive verb 1. a. to fit with wings b. to enable to fly or move swiftly 2. a. to traverse with or as if with wings b. to effect or achieve by flying 3. to let fly ; dispatch <would start to wing punches — A. J. Liebling> 4. a. to wound in the wing ; disable the wing of <winged the duck> b. to wound (as with a bullet) without killing <winged by a sniper> 5. to do or perform without preparation or guidelines ; improvise <winging it> intransitive verb to go with or as if with wings ; fly — often used with it <winged it to Europe>

Britannica Concise

In zoology, one of the paired structures certain animals use for flying. Bat and bird wings are modifications of the vertebrate forelimb. In birds, the fingers are reduced and the forearm is lengthened. The primary flight feathers propel the bird forward, and the secondaries (on the upper wing) provide lift. Bat wings consist of a membrane stretched over slender, elongated arm and hand bones. Insect wings are folds of integument ("skin"). Most insects have two pairs of wings; dipterans (flies) have only one developed pair, and beetles have two but use only one for flying. The two wings on a side usually move together, but dragonfly wings work independently.

U.S. Military Dictionary

1. An Air Force unit composed normally of one primary mission group and the necessary supporting organizations, i.e., organizations designed to render supply, maintenance, hospitalization, and other services required by the primary mission groups. Primary mission groups may be functional, such as combat, training, transport, or service. 2. A fleet air wing is the basic organizational and administrative unit for naval-, land-, and tender-based aviation. Such wings are mobile units to which are assigned aircraft squadrons and tenders for administrative organization control. 3. A balanced Marine Corps task organization of aircraft groups and squadrons, together with appropriate command, air control, administrative, service, and maintenance units. A standard Marine Corps aircraft wing contains the aviation elements normally required for the air support of a Marine division. 4. A flank unit; that part of a military force to the right or left of the main body.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 each of the limbs or organs by which a bird, bat, or insect is able to fly. 2 a rigid horizontal winglike structure forming a supporting part of an aircraft. 3 part of a building etc. which projects or is extended in a certain direction (lived in the north wing). 4 a a forward player at either end of a line in football, hockey, etc. b the side part of a playing-area. 5 (in pl.) the sides of a theatre stage out of view of the audience. 6 a section of a political party in terms of the extremity of its views. 7 a flank of a battle array (the cavalry were massed on the left wing). 8 Brit. the part of a motor vehicle covering a wheel. 9 a an air-force unit of several squadrons or groups. b (in pl.) a pilot's badge in the RAF etc. (get one's wings). 10 Anat. & Bot. a lateral part or projection of an organ or structure. --v. 1 intr. & tr. travel or traverse on wings or in an aircraft (winging through the air; am winging my way home). 2 tr. wound in a wing or an arm. 3 tr. equip with wings. 4 tr. enable to fly; send in flight (fear winged my steps; winged an arrow towards them). Phrases and idioms: give (or lend) wings to speed up (a person or a thing). on the wing flying or in flight. on a wing and a prayer with only the slightest chance of success. spread (or stretch) one's wings develop one's powers fully. take under one's wing treat as a protégé. take wing fly away; soar. waiting in the wings holding oneself in readiness. wing-beat one complete set of motions with a wing in flying. wing-case the horny cover of an insect's wing. wing-chair a chair with side-pieces projecting forwards at the top of a high back. wing-collar a man's high stiff collar with turned-down corners. wing commander an RAF officer next below group captain. winged words highly apposite or significant words. wing-game game-birds. wing-nut a nut with projections for the fingers to turn it on a screw. wing-span (or -spread) measurement right across the wings of a bird or aircraft. wing-stroke = wing-beat. wing-tip the outer end of an aircraft's or a bird's wing. Derivatives: winged adj. (also in comb.). wingless adj. winglet n. winglike adj. Etymology: ME pl. wenge, -en, -es f. ON vængir, pl. of vængr

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Wing Wing, n. [OE. winge, wenge; probably of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. & Sw. vinge, Icel. v[ae]ngr.] 1. One of the two anterior limbs of a bird, pterodactyl, or bat. They correspond to the arms of man, and are usually modified for flight, but in the case of a few species of birds, as the ostrich, auk, etc., the wings are used only as an assistance in running or swimming. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings. --Deut. xxxii. 11. Note: In the wing of a bird the long quill feathers are in series. The primaries are those attached to the ulnar side of the hand; the secondaries, or wing coverts, those of the forearm: the scapulars, those that lie over the humerus; and the bastard feathers, those of the short outer digit. See Illust. of Bird, and Plumage. 2. Any similar member or instrument used for the purpose of flying. Specifically: (Zo["o]l.) (a) One of the two pairs of upper thoracic appendages of most hexapod insects. They are broad, fanlike organs formed of a double membrane and strengthened by chitinous veins or nervures. (b) One of the large pectoral fins of the flying fishes. 3. Passage by flying; flight; as, to take wing. Light thickens; and the crow Makes wing to the rooky wood. --Shak. 4. Motive or instrument of flight; means of flight or of rapid motion. Fiery expedition be my wing. --Shak. 5. Anything which agitates the air as a wing does, or which is put in winglike motion by the action of the air, as a fan or vane for winnowing grain, the vane or sail of a windmill, etc. 6. An ornament worn on the shoulder; a small epaulet or shoulder knot. 7. Any appendage resembling the wing of a bird or insect in shape or appearance. Specifically: (a) (Zo["o]l.) One of the broad, thin, anterior lobes of the foot of a pteropod, used as an organ in swimming. (b) (Bot.) Any membranaceous expansion, as that along the sides of certain stems, or of a fruit of the kind called samara. (c) (Bot.) Either of the two side petals of a papilionaceous flower. 8. One of two corresponding appendages attached; a sidepiece. Hence: (a) (Arch.) A side building, less than the main edifice; as, one of the wings of a palace. (b) (Fort.) The longer side of crownworks, etc., connecting them with the main work. (c) (Hort.) A side shoot of a tree or plant; a branch growing up by the side of another. [Obs.] (d) (Mil.) The right or left division of an army, regiment, etc. (e) (Naut.) That part of the hold or orlop of a vessel which is nearest the sides. In a fleet, one of the extremities when the ships are drawn up in line, or when forming the two sides of a triangle. --Totten. (f) One of the sides of the stags in a theater.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Wing Wing, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Winged; p. pr. & vb. n. Winging.] 1. To furnish with wings; to enable to fly, or to move with celerity. Who heaves old ocean, and whowings the storms. --Pope. Living, to wing with mirth the weary hours. --Longfellow. 2. To supply with wings or sidepieces. The main battle, whose puissance on either side Shall be well winged with our chiefest horse. --Shak. 3. To transport by flight; to cause to fly. I, an old turtle, Will wing me to some withered bough. --Shak. 4. To move through in flight; to fly through. There's not an arrow wings the sky But fancy turns its point to him. --Moore. 5. To cut off the wings of; to wound in the wing; to disable a wing of; as, to wing a bird.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Wing Wing, n. (A["e]ronautics) Any surface used primarily for supporting a flying machine in flight, whether by edge-on motion, or flapping, or rotation; specif., either of a pair of supporting planes of a flying machine.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(wings) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. The wings of a bird or insect are the two parts of its body that it uses for flying. The bird flapped its wings furiously... N-COUNT • -winged ...black-winged birds. COMB in ADJ 2. The wings of an aeroplane are the long flat parts sticking out of its side which support it while it is flying. N-COUNT • -winged ...a wide-winged plane. COMB in ADJ 3. A wing of a building is a part of it which sticks out from the main part. We were given an office in the empty west wing. N-COUNT: usu with supp 4. A wing of an organization, especially a political organization, is a group within it which has a particular function or particular beliefs. ...the military wing of the African National Congress. N-COUNT: with supp, usu supp N see also left-wing, right-wing 5. In a theatre, the wings are the sides of the stage which are hidden from the audience by curtains or scenery. Most nights I watched the start of the play from the wings. N-PLURAL: the N 6. In a game such as football or hockey, the left wing and the right wing are the areas on the far left and the far right of the pitch. You can also refer to the players who play in these positions as the left wing and the right wing. N-COUNT: usu supp N 7. A wing of a car is a part of it on the outside which is over one of the wheels. (BRIT; in AM, use fender) N-COUNT 8. If you say that something or someone wings their way somewhere or wings somewhere, you mean that they go there quickly, especially by plane. A few moments later they were airborne and winging their way south... A cash bonanza will be winging its way to the 600,000 members of the scheme... The first of the airliners winged westwards and home. VERB: V way adv/prep, V way adv/prep, V adv/prep 9. If you say that someone is waiting in the wings, you mean that they are ready and waiting for an opportunity to take action. There are now more than 20 big companies waiting in the wings to take over some of its business. PHRASE: usu v PHR 10. If you spread your wings, you do something new and rather difficult or move to a new place, because you feel more confident in your abilities than you used to and you want to gain wider experience. I led a very confined life in my village so I suppose that I wanted to spread my wings. PHRASE: V inflects 11. If you take someone under your wing, you look after them, help them, and protect them. Her boss took her under his wing after fully realising her potential. PHRASE: V inflects

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Pennon, pinion. 2. Side-piece. 3. (Mil.) Flank.

Moby Thesaurus

KP, L, act drop, addition, administration, aeroplane, affiliate, age group, air arm, air corps, air force, air service, airlift, airplane, annex, appendage, arm, army, army group, asbestos, asbestos board, auspices, backdrop, balloon, band, battalion, batten, battery, battle group, be airborne, bear, bevy, block, body, border, bough, branch, branch office, breakaway group, breast, brigade, bugger, bulge, bunch, cabal, cadre, camp, care, carry, cast, castrate, caucus, chapter, charge, chicken foot, clique, cloth, cohort, column, combat command, combat team, company, complement, conduct, contingent, convey, corps, coterie, coulisse, counterweight, covey, crew, cripple, crowd, cruise, cure, curtain, curtain board, custodianship, custody, cyclorama, dark meat, de-energize, debilitate, decor, detachment, detail, disable, disenable, division, drain, drift, drop, drop curtain, drumstick, ell, emasculate, enfeeble, escadrille, ethnic group, expansion, extension, faction, ferry, field army, field train, file, fire curtain, flat, fleet, flight, flipper, flit, fly, flying column, freight, gang, garrison, giblets, glide, governance, government, group, grouping, groupment, guardianship, guidance, hamstring, hand, hands, hanging, hobble, hop, hors de combat, hover, hydroplane, imp, in-group, inactivate, incapacitate, interest, interest group, jet, joint, junta, jurisdiction, keeping, kibosh, kitchen police, lame, leg, legion, lift, limb, link, lobe, lobule, local, lodge, lug, maim, management, manhandle, maniple, member, ministry, minority group, mob, movement, navigate, neck, offshoot, organ, organization, out-group, outfit, oversight, oyster, pack, party, pastorage, pastorate, pastorship, patronage, peer group, phalanx, pinion, platoon, political party, posse, post, pressure group, projection, prolongation, protectorship, protrusion, protuberance, put, queer, queer the works, rag, ramification, rank, regiment, runner, sabotage, safe hands, sail, sailplane, salon, scene, scenery, scion, screen, seaplane, sect, section, set, side, side scene, silent majority, soar, spike, splinter, splinter group, spray, sprig, spur, squad, squadron, stable, stage screw, stewardship, strategic air force, string, sweep, switch, tab, tableau, tactical air force, tactical unit, tail, take, take the air, take wing, task force, team, teaser, tendril, thigh, tormentor, tote, train, transformation, transformation scene, transport, tribe, troop, troupe, turkey foot, tutelage, twig, unfit, unit, vocal minority, volplane, waft, ward, wardenship, wardship, watch and ward, weaken, whisk, white meat, wingcut, wishbone, woodcut, wreck